The judge had been about to give evidence from the witness box about how he wrestled with Reid as he tried to flee his rape trial last year.

Judge Marks Moore grabbed Reid round the throat and rugby-tackled him to the floor as he ran out of court and into the judge's corridor at Woolwich Crown Court.

The 60-year-old former Irish Guardsman pinned Reid down with his body until security guards arrived, the Old Bailey was told.

Reid, originally from south London, was later convicted of the rape offence committed when he was on the run after escaping Inner London Crown Court two years before.

Judge Marks Moore was called into court to hear that Reid had admitted escape and attempted escape and would be sentenced later. He had finished trying the rape case but had decided he should not sentence Reid, 34.

Reid changed his plea after studying the case against him and asking Old Bailey Judge Jeremy Roberts for an indication of sentence.

Judge Roberts said Reid should be jailed for life with a minimum term of six years and three months. He added that Reid had two previous convictions for escape and one other rape conviction.